Mexborough & Swinton Times, October 2nd 1931
Two Old Readers
Mr. and Mrs. George Rhodes, of Lundhill Row, Wombwell, who have been readers of this paper from its commencement.
I must confess that what I look at first is ‘ the wedding column.” George smiled rather contemptuously and wondered what she could see in the weddings. But Mrs. Rhodes persisted. “I read every word in that column,” she said, “and I like to study the names. Many of them are grandchildren of the playmates of my girlhood days. I like also to read about the dresses, and to note the changes in styles. I see the dresses are getting longer and I wonder if we shall get back to the old times again. I like your idea of giving pictures with the weddings. The pictures give us a better idea of what the brides look like. I think they will make interesting souvenirs for the newly-married couples. After all, a wedding is the happiest event of all, and I still look back with pleasure on mine.”
Referring to the general features of the paper, Mrs. Rhodes said, “It always seems to me to be marvellous how you collect all this news. It makes me think that those who read the papers know very little about the organisation. I do not care for novels,” she said, “I would rather read about something that has actually happened, and the Mexboro’ Times’ tells me what my old friends are doing.” Many of them pass away, and we should never know about it but for your paper.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes displayed a keen interest in our change of title, and said that they hoped that under our new name the paper would go on from success to success. “It will seem very strange not to bear the ‘Mexboro’ Times’ mentioned,” said George, but I expect the ‘South Yorkshire Times’ will become Just as familiar a household word. Anyway, a name’s nothing if the paper keeps up its quality.”
Mr. Rhodes talked of the days when the “Mexboro’ Times” first came to Wombwell. He said it was a puny little thing, but a welcome issue in its way. The paper was first delivered in the Lundhill district by a man named Charles Briggs, and in those days there was no post office at Wombwell, and the letters had to be carried from Barnsley.
Mr. Rhodes is 81 years of age, and his wife Eunice is 80. George was born at Greenland, Cortonwood, and Mrs. Rhodes at Wakefield. Mrs. Rhodes has lived in the house they now occupy for 76 years, and the old couple have known no other home. She said, This place has always been good enough for me, and I have no desire to live anywhere else.”
Mr. Rhodes is one of few people who can remember the great Lundhill colliery explosion of Feb. 19th, 1857, in which 189 men and boys lost their lives. At that time he was living in the little cottage near the canal at Greenland, his father, Joseph Rhodes, being blacksmith at the pit. Joseph Rhodes had just entered his family circle for dinner when there was a fearful bang “as though the earth was being blown up,” as George puts it. When Mr. Rhodes rushed to the door it was to see flames issuing from the pit shafts. Mr. Rhodes recalls that after the accident there was a lull, and hopes were entertained of some of the entombed men being got out alive. As the afternoon wore on, however, it was seen that the fire fiend had superseded the explosion. Attempts were made to stem the blaze by stopping up the top of the shafts with masoffry, soil and bushes, but the underground workings were soon like a roaring furnace, and if there were any survivors underground they were roasted alive. Eventually the pit was flooded. Such a deep impression did the disaster make at the time that for many months there was a constant pilgrimage to Lundhill. The wooden bridge still crosses the canal where Mr. Rhodes lived, and the countless pedestrians travelling this bridge made such a noise that the family wore unable to sleep at night for several weeks. The personal effects of the victims were buried near the Rhodes’s home, but no one has yet persuaded George to reveal where the spot is. He has a sentimental conviction that it should not be disturbed.
Considering they have attained well over the allotted span of years, Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes enjoy remarkably good health. Both can see to read without glasses, and their hearing is perfect. In reply to a question in regard to his health, George replied, “Fine, there is nothing wrong with me. If it was not for an occasional twinge of rheumatism (rubbing his left leg) I should feel like a young man.” He attributes his healthy old age to sensible living. He is not afraid to tell anyone that he took a glass of beer at the age of fourteen, and was a confirmed smoker before he had attained what is the present school leaving age. This is how be acquired the taste for a glass.
He said he used to work for Mr. Johnson, father of Mr. Wm. Johnson, the builder, who died recently. They were engaged upon a contract at Worsbro’ Dale, to which place George Rhodes had to walk for a day’s wage of a shilling. Mr. Johnson also liked a glass of beer, and when anyone asked the lad where “his father” was he would not reply, but would immediately make his way to a local hostelry where Mr. Johnson was sure to be found. “He was a grand master,” said Mr. Rhodes, “and would never let me go without having a glass of beer. I am of opinion that a good glass of beer will do nobody harm, but it is those that make fools of themselves that spoil it.”